[KirkH]

DIY: Outside mirror replacement
I recently had my driver’s side outside mirror knocked off. Some jackass knocked it off.I searched all through the forum and on the Internet for a DIY for this job, but couldn’t find one.I did find a DIY thread for door panel removal and also a video by LeatherSeats.com showing door panel removal of a 6th gen.With that limited information, I set out to replace my driver’s side outside mirror.
* I may edit this post if I think of other tips.
Parts Requirements:
New mirror assembly
New mirror assembly gasket (rubber)

Tools needed:
6mm socket
10 mm socket
Plastic trim tools

Removing the door panel:
Lower the window
Remove the knee pad.
Remove the plastic cover behind the door handle with a hook tool.
Remove the three 8mm bolts from the door panel.
1) door handle


2) knee pad


3) below arm rest


Use a socket extension and a magnet tool to retrieve the bolts.
Insert a plastic trim tool at the bottom of the door trim panel to begin popping loose the 9 retainer pins. One of the retainer pins is called the safety pin.You will have to replace that one in its doghouse when you pop it out.
*When I did this step, several retainer pin heads came out of the “doghouse” and the retainer pins remained in the door body. I had to remove all the retainer pins from the door body and replace them in the doghouses on the door trim panel.



The retainer pin should stay in the doghouse like this


Remove retainer pin at the top of door panel towards front of the car.
Remove window gasket guide retainer pins.

Lift door trim panel to release door panel retainer clips. You may or may not have to remove the window guide gasket piece.You can slide the rubber windows guide gasket out in order to see how the door retainer clips work.If you do remove the rubber window guide gasket, re-install the gasket BEFORE re-installing the door trim panel.

You have to lift/ push pretty hard to release the clips. The clips look like this, and slip over the sheet metal of the door:


Release electrical connection for the mirror motor.

Release the lock lever cable by squeezing the tab and pulling out



Disconnect electrical connections if you want to move the door trim panel out of the way. They are very tight.You don’t have to disconnect them to replace the outside mirror.



Remove the gaskets covering the outside mirror hardware access holes.




Remove the 10mm nuts (3) from the outside mirror assembly. Be careful not to drop the nuts down in the door.I rolled up some poster board to catch the nuts.



Remove mirror assembly

Install new gasket in the door first.
Push electrical connection through the gasket.

Install new mirror assembly.
Tighten 10mm nuts being careful not to drop nuts into the door.

As you tighten the nuts, use a plastic trim tool to install the rubber gasket around the base of the mirror correctly.

Reinstall gaskets covering the outside mirror hardware access holes. I used
RTV sealant on the big gasket and covered the clear plastic gasket with duct tape.

Re-installing the door panel:

Re-installing the door panel is not as easy as removing it. In fact, it is a b*%^$!

Tips:
Make sure all retainer pins are in the doghouses on the door trim panel, not still stuck in the holes!
Install rubber window guide gasket BEFORE re-installing the door trim panel.
Make sure the safety retainer pin is in its doghouse.

Reconnect electrical connections.
Re-engage the door lock cable mechanism.

Engage the 6 retainer clips at the top of the door trim panel with the slots on the door body. This is the toughest part.You need to try to get each retainer clip into its little slot on the door body sheet metal.I was able to take my fingers and get each retainer clip lined up, then I pushed down HARD on the door panel the seat the clips.An extra person to help here would be good.

Go around the door trim panel and pop in all the retainer pins.

Re-install the 8mm door panel bolts. It is helpful to have a magnetized screwdriver to hold the bolts.

Re-install the door handle cover.

Re-install the knee pad.

Raise the window to check the window guide gasket seating.

Decompress with a cold beverage.

[Hyper16]

Awesome writeup.
There are aftermarket mirrors coming on the market now and this will really really help anyone that wants to change. Thanks for posting.

Edit: Just saw your other threads about this subject. Excellent. I understand the euro models have folding mirrors. If I could find a set of those that match..................

[Gilley]

Thanks for posting this. It was very helpful when I could not figure out how to put 6 retainer clips in at the top of the door.

[Eos]

Hi Hyper16!,

Originally Posted by Hyper16

I understand the euro models have folding mirrors. If I could find a set of those that match..................

For your info.. they can fold but they are NOT powered electrically: you need to pull them and they collapse towards the car body.

See you!!,
Eos

[pjz1082]

Originally Posted by Eos

Hi Hyper16!,



For your info.. they can fold but they are NOT powered electrically: you need to pull them and they collapse towards the car body.

See you!!,
Eos

That would still be amazing! Why would they not offer this on the US version? So stupid.

[Hyper16]

Thanks for that info Eos

Originally Posted by pjz1082

That would still be amazing! Why would they not offer this on the US version? So stupid.

Agreed. So easy for someone to bump it in a parking lot.

[Eos]

Originally Posted by Hyper16

Thanks for that info Eos

You're welcome! So, you're telling me that the US version doesn't even collapse after a hit??

See you!!,
Eos

[pjz1082]

Originally Posted by Eos

You're welcome! So, you're telling me that the US version doesn't even collapse after a hit??

See you!!,
Eos

No. Basically they just snap off

[Unbukwarrior]

Does anyone know the part number of the safety retainer. I was planning on removing the door but I'm not sure which retainers need to be replaced and the part numbers. On most gm part online stores there is no good description of which retainer is which. My understanding of the trim removal is that only the safety retainer needs to be replaced. Is this right?

[archer1965]

When replacing the mirror, make sure it's aligned properly to the body, if not, it will sound like an air leak around the window at speeds above ~40MPH.

[Gilley]

Originally Posted by Unbukwarrior

Does anyone know the part number of the safety retainer. I was planning on removing the door but I'm not sure which retainers need to be replaced and the part numbers. On most gm part online stores there is no good description of which retainer is which. My understanding of the trim removal is that only the safety retainer needs to be replaced. Is this right?

I did not replace any retainers because I didn't know which part it was or the part number.

[Tomiboy]

Originally Posted by Eos

You're welcome! So, you're telling me that the US version doesn't even collapse after a hit??

See you!!,
Eos

Any chance you could get us a part number?

[red_johnny]

Originally Posted by Tomiboy

Any chance you could get us a part number?

Found these on German ebay. I am currently searching out the ones with lane assist. http://www.ebay.de/itm/OEM-NEW-Outsi...sAAOSw7GRZB3NZ
Part numbers look to be: 22961817 & 22961816
Just realized, these may not work. It says 14-16 so not sure but the picture looks correct. I will continue to search.

[mikert363]

I live in korea and the Camaros here have automatic folding mirrors. when you turn the car off they fold and when you turn on it unfolds. Korea is big with folding side mirrors. hahaha